The 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India has garnered attention not only for its thrilling matches but also for its less-than-packed stadiums. While some critics have decried the empty seats, the numbers tell a different story. The tournament has already broken the attendance record set in 2015 and is poised to surpass the 2019 record within its first ten days.
Read More: ICC World Cup score table: Check out the latest ICC World Cup points table 2023
Record-Breaking Start
From the opening match to the India vs. Afghanistan clash, one common sight has been less than full stadiums. Only the matches involving the Indian team managed to draw sizable crowds. The blame for these empty seats has been directed at various parties, including the BCCI, ICC, and even ticketing platforms like BookMyShow. Despite these complaints, the 2023 World Cup has already exceeded the attendance figures of the 2015 edition and is on track to outdo the 2019 World Cup’s crowd numbers in a matter of days.
Comparing Past World Cups
To put this achievement into perspective, let’s compare attendance figures from past World Cups. The 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand recorded a total attendance of 623,247, while the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales drew 752,000 spectators. In contrast, the 2023 World Cup has already tallied 624,279 attendees for its first nine matches alone, based on in-stadium data. With iconic matchups like India vs. Pakistan still to come, these numbers are expected to double, potentially breaking the record set during the 2011 World Cup when 1.2 million fans attended matches.
The Empty Stadium Controversy
It’s undeniable that there have been plenty of empty seats at the 2023 World Cup, especially considering the enormous seating capacity of Indian stadiums. For instance, during the England vs. New Zealand opener at the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, only 47,518 official attendees were recorded—merely 36% of the stadium’s total capacity. Empty seats were also observed during the India vs. Australia match, with 3,810 unfilled seats, and the India vs. Afghanistan match, which had 2,700 empty seats. Astonishingly, even 15 minutes before the start of some matches, tickets were still available on BookMyShow.
This is a very depressing graphic about cricket world cup. About seats in stadia and the empty seats. Gross mismanagement is the politest way to put it. But if no one is accountable for death and destruction in Manipur, fat chance that anyone will take responsibility for this. pic.twitter.com/5qCj5HyIMo
— Sushant Singh (@SushantSin) October 12, 2023
The Exception: India vs. Pakistan
Not all matches suffered from low attendance. The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match, scheduled to be held at the 132,000-capacity stadium, is expected to be a sellout, making it one of the most attended ODI World Cup matches in history.
Reasons Behind the Empty Seats
Given the cricket-crazed nature of India, the question arises: Why are the stadiums not packed to capacity during the World Cup? Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:
1. Costly Tickets
There have been complaints about the high ticket prices, with some public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the BCCI and ICC for setting rates as high as Rs 3,250 in Lucknow. This pricing, along with rampant ticket black-marketing, has deterred many fans, particularly for the marquee matches.
2. Poor Ticketing Management
The release of tickets just 40 days before the World Cup began, coupled with schedule changes, didn’t incentivize travel plans. Moreover, the decision to stick with physical tickets instead of e-tickets added to the challenges.
3. Unforgiving Heat
October is no longer the “cool” period it used to be, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius in some parts of India.
Empty stadiums at ODI matches are disheartening. Is the format dying, or are people just more interested in watching their home team and not the sport?
— Mudit (@moditjohar09) October 12, 2023
(potential semifinal imo)#icccricketworldcup2023 #bookmyshow #Cricket #WorldCup2023 #ICCCricketWorldCup #ICC2023 #SAvsAUS pic.twitter.com/XIAaWXeDn7
4. Lackluster Facilities
Despite BCCI’s investment of over Rs 500 Crore in stadium renovations, fans have reported unsatisfactory conditions, including bird droppings on seats. Even promises of free bottled water couldn’t compensate for dirty toilets and uncomfortable seats.
5. Festive Season Priorities
In India, October and November are festive months, and many have chosen to allocate their budget for bigger purchases rather than attending World Cup matches.
The Influence of Technology
The rise of free live streaming on mobile devices has altered the dynamics of stadium attendance. For example, the India vs. Afghanistan match drew over 20 million concurrent viewers on Disney+ Hotstar. Other games also boasted around 5-6 million concurrent viewers. As a result, whether the stadiums are empty or not, the World Cup’s overall crowd record is on the cusp of being rewritten.
While the sight of empty seats in World Cup stadiums may raise concerns, the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in India has already rewritten attendance records. Despite various challenges, including high ticket prices and outdated facilities, the tournament’s accessibility through modern technology has ensured that the excitement of the World Cup is experienced by millions, even if not all of them are physically present in the stands. The upcoming India vs. Pakistan match promises to be a historic event, demonstrating that cricket still holds the power to unite fans in a frenzied celebration of the sport.
